325 Blake Road Restoration
Overview
In partnership with the City of Hopkins and other public and private organizations, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is leading a restoration effort on five acres of a site at 325 Blake Road. The site will include stormwater features to treat polluted runoff from about 270 acres from three cities around the site, improving water quality locally and downstream. This project provides access to Minnehaha Creek, improves the creek’s ecological integrity, and connects the site to the Minnehaha Creek Greenway trail system that runs through Cottageville Park, the Minnehaha Creek Preserve and the Methodist Hospital campus. On the remaining land, MCWD and the City of Hopkins are working with a redevelopment partner to transform the site into a new neighborhood that celebrates these environmental enhancements and blends seamlessly into the surrounding community.
In 2011, MCWD purchased a 17-acre industrial site in Hopkins as a key piece in the restoration of the most degraded stretch of Minnehaha Creek. The site, which is part of a larger series of improvements along the Minnehaha Creek Greenway, is poised to become a unique community asset. The property is nestled between regionally significant features like the Minnehaha Creek, the newly reconstructed Blake Road Corridor that connects local neighborhoods and businesses, the METRO Green line light rail system, and the Cedar Lake Regional Trail.
Project Updates
Spring 2025
The site design for MCWD’s portion of the 325 Blake Road site is complete. MCWD anticipates bidding the construction of its portion of the project in 2025. The developer, Alatus, completed construction on the first multi-family building, a 100% affordable housing development on the north portion of the site, called CHORUS.
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Project Timeline
Planning Phase
Planning Phase
2008 — City of Hopkins commissions the Blake Road Corridor Small Area Plan
September 2011 — City of Hopkins authorizes a resolution of support for MCWD purchasing the 325 Blake Road site with Resolution 2011-049
September 2011 — MCWD’s Board purchases the 325 Blake Road site at the Sept. 22, 2011, Board of Managers meeting
September 2011 — Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment is conducted
August 2012 — MCWD begins a feasibility study for the creek restoration and regional stormwater project with Resolution 12-080
June 2013 — Feasibility completed
July 2013 — MCWD’s Board orders the project with Resolution 13-078
March 2015 — MCWD’s Board awards construction contract for the Powell Road pipe diversion with Resolution 15-028
August 2015 — Powell Road pipe diversion completed
February 2017 — MCWD’s Board adopts a cooperative agreement with the Metropolitan Council and the City of Hopkins with Resolution 17-009, to incorporate the Lake Street pipe diversion into the Hopkins Lift Station L27 project
August 2017 — Phases 1 and 2 Environmental Site Assessments completed
July 2018 — MCWD’s Board authorizes contract for demolition services with Resolution 18-074
2019 — Lake Street pipe diversion completed
August 2020 — MCWD Board adopts cooperative agreement with the City of Hopkins for coordinated planning, improvements, and development for 325 Blake Road with Resolution 20-066
Design Phase
Design Phase
May 2018 — In coordination with City of Hopkins partners, MCWD’s Board selects Kraus-Anderson as master developer for the 325 Blake Road site with Resolution 18-051
March 2019 — MCWD and Kraus-Anderson mutually part ways
August 2020 — MCWD’s Board authorizes to release a request for proposals for design services for the creek restoration and regional stormwater project with Resolution 20-067
December 2020 — MCWD’s Board authorizes a design contract with HDR for the creek restoration and regional stormwater project with Resolution 20-091
February 2021 — Stakeholder and community survey and sessions held
June 2021 — City of Hopkins and MCWD select private development partner, Alatus, at a June 17, 2021, joint meeting
July 2021 — Public design review meetings held
September 2021 — MCWD’s Board accepts 30% schematic design of MCWD project areas with Resolution 21-063
November 2021 — Schematic design presented at Alatus Neighborhood Meeting in Hopkins; public provided input on site amenities via in-person and online surveys
January 2022 — Virtual public meeting and survey on designs and project features held
February 2022 — MCWD’s Board accepts 60% schematic design of MCWD project areas with Resolution 22-010
May 2022 — MCWD executes a purchase and sale agreement with Alatus, following Board approval of the draft agreement in April 2022 with Resolution 22-023
June 2022 — MCWD’s Board approves of the first amendment to the purchase and sale agreement with Resolution 22-040, to allow Alatus and the City of Hopkins to facilitate affordable housing development
May 2023 — MCWD’s Board approves the final design of the creek restoration and regional stormwater project with Resolution 23-026
October 2023 — MCWD’s Board approves of the second amendment to the purchase and sale agreement with Resolution 23-066, to extend the expiration date for Alatus to close on the site
February 2024 — Alatus seeks financing from the City of Hopkins, and the City approves an amendment to the contract at the Feb. 13, 2024, City Council meeting
June 2024 — MCWD’s Board approves of a third amendment to the purchase and sale agreement with Resolution 24-037, to extend the expiration date for Alatus to close on the site
October 2024 — Alatus asks the City of Hopkins to consider temporary bonds to help finance development
Construction Phase
Construction Phase
October 2022 — Construction begins on Building A and groundbreaking ceremony is held
December 2023 — Building A, Chorus Apartments, completed; Ribbon cutting ceremony held
2025 — Construction bidding period held
2025 — Construction begins
2026 — Construction for creek restoration and regional stormwater treatment begins
2027 — Construction ends
Project completion
Project Completion
2027 — Project completed
By the Numbers
270
acres
stormwater treated
180
pounds
phosphorus removed annually
90,000
pounds
algae growth prevented
800+
units
of housing created
Project Highlights
- Easy access to the METRO Green Line Blake Road station
- New neighborhood green space
- Stormwater treatment features that improve water quality in the creek and receiving water bodies
- Streambank and habitat restoration
- Removal of industrial cold storage facility
- Interpretive features and educational signage
- Completion of the Minnehaha Creek Greenway trail system
- New access to Minnehaha Creek and improved recreation opportunities
- Integrated and landscaped stormwater pond that treats a regionally significant volume of stormwater
All metrics anticipated upon project completion.
Partnership
MCWD worked closely with the City of Hopkins to identify 325 Blake Road as an opportunity of mutual benefit for community development, water quality, and economic progress. Together, MCWD and its partners are working to deliver a water-centric site that celebrates the nexus of community, economic, and environmental needs.
Funding
Project Cost: $5,639,250
The 325 Blake Road Restoration and Redevelopment project is made possible by funds provided by MCWD’s levy and the Public Facilities Authority (PFA). Hennepin County and Met Council contributed to the demolition and environmental remediation of the site. The Board of Water and Soil Resources contributed funds toward the regional stormwater management system that will be implemented at the project site.
